I am a fully-fledged bookaholic and I love nothing more than sitting down and reading in the evening. It is one of life’s great pleasures especially if you love reading as much as I do. Books are amazing.

However, in a busy household, it can be hard to find the right area to settle down. Most people sit in front of the TV, but it can be distracting and furthermore, with the kids around it can be stressful. Help is at hand though as we know some ways to create a reading nook especially for you and your books to use every day. Here are some of our tips:

Build an area- In an ideal world, you would have the budget to build a new area for your reading and library. Call it a mini extension onto your living room, kitchen or bedroom. However, even if building it isn’t a runner then you should consider using certain areas in the house to make a reading nook.

Look at your window areas – are they large enough to build a reading space with comfortable seating and shelves for books? Is your hallway long and large? As sometimes they have lots of space to easily pop in a reading area. How about your kitchen? Is it large with lots of empty space too? Do a full run around of the house and note ideas of where to put your book nook.

Look at all the areas- Is there room next to your fireplace or in your hallway downstairs or upstairs? Have you under stairs storage that isn’t needed? Can you do something outside and put heaters around for the winter? Is there an area in your bedroom that would work? Think creatively as not everything has to be perfect. There is plenty of room to mix and match things too.

Use a spare room – This is ideal, and a spare room can give you ample space to build a little library too and perhaps a space to journal or jot things down. If you like to write, read and relax you could turn this room into the perfect nook. Add plenty of paintings, plants and scented candles to encourage relaxing.

Think lighting and traffic – As much as we are advising creating a space anywhere if your house is busy with traffic (like the kids motoring around) it may not be relaxing. So, before you pick an area, consider the amount of foot-fall and if you can relax with “in and out” constantly. Furthermore, consider the lighting as somewhere with good lighting is key and overlooking a garden area is nice too. That way you can sit and relax with a nice backdrop.

Design your own area and make colour and interior plans - What colours do you love? Think of some neutral colours and ones that are relaxing too. Have a think about what you love and if you like flowers go with some floral theme or maybe you are a comic book fan? Either way, pick the theme that is perfectly you. This is your space after all.

Create it with smart furniture - Ok, so you don’t have the build a reading area from scratch, but you do need to use your creativity. Get some cushions, bean bags, throws, shelves and lots of comfortable additions to create an area in a part of the room. Your window may be too high up so a seat is out of the question but bring a sofa or comfy chair over along with the bean bags. Swinging chairs can work or those cuddle armchairs that are luxurious.

Enjoy every minute of your new book nook!